Lake Oswego Police to Conduct Underage Alcohol Sale Operations

Posted Mon, 09/08/2014 - 9:14am

LAKE OSWEGO – Now that the school year has begun, the Lake Oswego Police Department will be conducting underage alcohol sale operations throughout the city during the month of September. During the operations, underage decoys will be sent to businesses and will attempt to purchase alcohol.

Underage drinking is a national public health and safety issue. To help minimize alcohol related incidents involving minors, the Lake Oswego Police Department conducts operations to ensure local businesses licensed to sell alcohol are abiding by laws prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. The city has conducted similar operations in the past and has had very good compliance from local businesses. By continuing to reinforce the importance of preventing underage drinking, the police department hopes to achieve 100% compliance from businesses.

Businesses are required to request identification from purchasers of alcohol if the purchaser appears to be younger than 26 years old. Businesses can be held accountable if they distribute, sell or otherwise make alcoholic beverages available to a person who is not 21 years old. Failing to assure the proper age of the purchaser may result in the issuance of a citation for violating Oregon Revised Statue 471.410 – Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol use by persons under age 21 years is a major public health problem. Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs and is responsible for more than 4,700 annual deaths among underage youths.